Pray For Them
March 29, 2016
Dr. James Dobson told a story that reinforced the importance of praying for our children. One night Jim and his wife Shirley had trouble falling asleep. They began feeling uneasy about their daughter, so they got down on their knees and prayed for her. They later learned that, at that very moment, their daughter and a friend were in a pull-out curve in the mountains -- just looking out over the city, eating a meal. A police car came by and shone a light into their window. It made them think to lock their doors. As the police car drove away, a man crawled out from under their car and tried to force his way in. They were able to quickly start the car and speed away. Dr. Dobson says, "No one will ever convince me that our prayers did not have an impact on that situation."
One final thought. No matter what you do as parents, in the end it is God who is in control. Pray everyday that God would protect your children and deliver them from the snare of evil.
I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
One final thought. No matter what you do as parents, in the end it is God who is in control. Pray everyday that God would protect your children and deliver them from the snare of evil.
I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
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One night my 13-year old daughter told me about a note being passed around in her class. It was about a boy and a girl who had taken their clothes off and messed around. I told her, "Sex is a beautiful thing in marriage. If you'll wait, God will bless you. But what those two young people were doing is shameful and wrong." Moments like that are the building blocks of a godly perspective about sex in your child's life. Talking to your children about sex takes courage I promise you. You certainly won't win any popularity contests with them. But your children don't need you to be buddies, they need courageous spiritual and moral leadership. The type of leadership parents give, who love them enough to challenge their thinking.One final thought. Make sure your children learn about sex from you, not from notes passed around in class. Prayerfully consider the right time and setting to discuss sex with your child.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
March 28, 2016
That comes from the "Jesus" film, which has been shown all over the world. The scene you heard depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ which we remember, today on Good Friday. Of course, Good Friday is a part of the Easter weekend, which you'll probably celebrate with your family.Do your children know why we celebrate this weekend? At your home, is Easter about Jesus Christ, or is it simply a hunt for a bunch of eggs left by an imaginary bunny? Do your children know that without the Easter weekend, we would have no hope of life beyond the grave?One final thought. Why not ask your children if they can tell you what the Easter story is really all about? If they can't, you might want to read the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ to them. You can find it in Luke, chapter 23 and 24.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
March 25, 2016
As Easter approaches this year, and you again hear the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let me ask you. Do you believe it? And if you do, are you living like you believe it?As a young college student, I had no purpose in life. I had many questions and doubts about my faith. Then, a man named Tom Skinner challenged me to focus not on my questions and doubts, but on the truth and reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I finally decided to act on the truth I knew about the Easter story. That Christ was not just alive - but that He was alive so He could live in me. Life became an adventure, and I started to understand the privilege of being used by God for eternal purposes. One final thought. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact. Are you living like you believe it? Is there evidence of His power in your life?I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real FamilyLife.
March 24, 2016
Do your children know what Easter is all about? The Easter season presents many opportunities to teach them some fundamental truths about Jesus, His death, burial and resurrection.Children need to be taught that they have sinned. Their selfishness and disobedience will keep them out of Heaven. God's justice demands that a payment is made for their sins. That's why Jesus made the payment on the cross.Children also need to know that they receive God's forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith involves repenting of their sins, turning to God and trusting Christ savior and lord.One final thought. Take a moment and think about some ways you can clearly explain the importance of this Easter season to your children. Don't let what Jesus did on the cross go by without talking with your child about the most important decision they'll ever make.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real FamilyLife.
March 23, 2016
A friend of mine once overheard his daughters talking during a thunderstorm. The older daughter said, matter of factly, "That thunder you just heard is God upstairs moving His furniture." The younger daughter nodded her head, looked at the rain and replied, "He just moved his waterbed, too."Do your children have a clear understanding of who God is? Did you know that you have been hand selected by God to introduce each of your children to Him? One final thought. Before children can fully understand the importance of the death and resurrection of Christ, they need to have a clear understanding of who God is. So I want to challenge you this Easter season to take some time and teach your children about our holy, fair, and loving Heavenly Father.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real FamilyLife.
March 22, 2016
Me, too. Isn't it interesting to hear someone who isn't afraid to tell others what Jesus Christ has done for her?Too many times, Christians tend to lose sight of the bigger picture when it comes to sharing our faith. We become fearful of what others may think of us, or we may worry that we'll be asked a question that we don't know the answer to. If we think that way, we're forgetting how lost we really were without Jesus Christ, and how much others really need Him.Missionary D. T. Niles described Christianity simply as "one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread." I like that. One final thought. What has Jesus done for you? Take a moment to think of a simple way to tell others, "I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see."I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real, Gospel-sharing FamilyLife.
March 21, 2016
Today's lesson comes from the pen of a sociologist named Carle Zimmerman. You might call it a lesson in family history.What Dr. Zimmerman did was examine different cultures in history to look for patterns in how different civilizations viewed the family unit. In his 1947 book "Family and Civilization," Carle Zimmerman wrote that major cultures like Greece, Rome, and now America, started out with a strong respect for the family. Eventually, though, individual rights took precedence over family commitments, and the family structure deteriorated, leading to the downfall of the whole society. Specifically, Zimmerman noted the increase of divorce, the rise of feminism, more and more crime, and - yes - a tolerance for and spread of sexual perversions like homosexuality.One final thought. God's put you in your family at this point in history for a reason. Think about why that might be.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real FamilyLife.
March 18, 2016
You can bet it was just a matter of time before that couple got caught! There's nothing more frustrating to parents than suspecting that their child is being sneaky, but never finding the child out. If you find yourself in that boat, I have two suggestions for you. (and if you're not in that boat yet, trust me, someday you will be!)1) Pray the prayer of the helpless parent. Say, "Lord, HELP!" I believe God truly delights in hearing us call out to him in desperation. Ask Him to cause your child to be caught if he or she is doing something wrong.2) Pray that in the presence of your child…so that your child hears you. Even a hardened, deceptive heart can be softened by some fear of the Lord.One final thought. Guard against being deceitful yourself. Be honest with your child, even if you're sure you're being lied to.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real FamilyLife.
March 17, 2016
I'll say!If your spouse is addicted to alcohol, there are some things you can do.First, seek godly counsel. Go to familylife.com and do a search on our website for the word "counselor." Then read the article called "How to Choose a Christian Counselor." There are additional resources available at familylife.com, too.Second, be sure you're attending a strong, God-fearing, Bible-teaching church, a church that teaches and practices Biblical church discipline. Surround yourself with supportive, loving followers of Jesus Christ.And third, pray. Pray for your spouse, and pray for yourself as you help him or her bring beauty out of ashes.One final thought. That website again is www.familylife.com. Hear me loud and clear: Alcohol abuse does not have to ruin your marriage and family.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real FamilyLife.
March 16, 2016
Now there's a recipe for adultery! I want to remind you of something. Before this man ever had a physical affair, it started out as an emotional affair. Little by little, he allowed his loyalties to his wife to errode, and his affections for her began to wander.Which is why it's critical that all of us guard against inappropriate conversations and emotional transparency with the opposite sex in the workplace. Most husbands and wives are separate from each other for at least nine hours a day. Now that's a huge chunk of time!One final thought. Why don't you go on the offensive? Invest in your husband or wife. Nurture your affection and protect your marriage from harm. You can choose today to say, "No," to an emotional affair and say, "Yes!" to your marriage.I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real, FAITHFUL, FamilyLife.
March 15, 2016
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There are 8,760 hours in a year. You’ll spend roughly 2,080 of those hours at work. On average, almost 900 hours swiping on social media. How much family time are you getting in?